Letters

Drop The Handle

Just a note on the Hargrove story on the Del Mar Racetrack (“I’ll Bet on That Nag to Come Last,” “City Lights,” December 9). In 2009, there were 43 racing days. Last year, there were 37 racing days, so obviously the handle had to drop. And that’s not mentioned in the story; it just mentions that the totals dropped about $6 million compared to the previous year. But that’s with six fewer racing days.

Joe Martin
North Park

I’ll Bet It’s Doomed

New York City’s government-regulated/run offtrack betting just turned its lights out (“I’ll Bet on That Nag to Come Last,” “City Lights,” December 9). One politician said let’s give the horse-racing action back to the illegal bookies.

Betfair in England has its lights on and thrives because the take, or commission, on each wager is between 1 and 2 percent. California’s government-regulated Betfair is doomed because the take on each wager will be between 15 and 20 percent, which was omitted from article.

Robert Kachur
via email

No El

Re “Of Note” on Delta Spirit (December 9). Matt’s last name is Vasquez, not Velasquez.

Mike
via email

Too Rich, Too Conservative

In opposition to Scott’s “Just Too Big” letter (Letters to the Editor, December 9). This area is too conservative, in addition to being self-centered.

Speech is too limited. It is no coincidence that Republicans are the majority here. (One must not be judged as a Democrat just for saying that.) Beliefs are too conservative, from too many: as I go by the scale on their income level. The higher the income level, the more conservative.

Mike
via email

A Real Charmer

About Dorian Hargrove’s article “Mental Illness Meets a Bullet” (“City Lights,” November 24). Reading the article is to realize that Anné Josefson was always Nathan Manning’s angel. The officer that accidentally shot Nathan is probably as perplexed as Anné. It’s very, very sad.

My brother is bipolar. And one of my best friends is a police officer.

I assume the police officer could calm Nathan down without backup. They do have a lot of training! Then Nathan went ballistic.

My brother is sweet and kind and has a genius I.Q. He’s creative. He was even married once and has two beautiful children. Back in the day, there wasn’t a clinical term for the manic episodes.

My senior-citizen parents wrestled with him. My brothers tried to subdue him. Four or five policemen tried to reason with him. During these hundred episodes, he would always push the envelope. He would be smarter than the shrinks. And B.S. the judges. And be the “victim,” and con all court costs, etc., from Mom. Always and forever, my mother never gave up on him ever — and still. She prayed and prayed and prayed.

He has sucked a lot of life out of our family. I remember my parents arguing about him 40 years ago. And the arguing continued till the day Dad passed away.

The fact that Nathan Manning’s brother wants justice is understandable. But where has that brother been? Was he active in Nathan’s life? Or was his mom Anné the primary angel?

My brother doesn’t have “bipolar” stamped on his forehead.

His usual M.O. would be to B.S.-charm the officer or try “the Viking thing,” even though it might be four officers and a stun gun. He would push the envelope.

Police officers are trained! And they are human. And they have families. They are the best of the best.

I love my brother unconditionally. But when a bipolar person exerts the other side of their personality, they can be very combative and out of touch with reality.

Name Withheld
San Diego

Forty Years Of Grief

I appreciate the concern about Duncan Shepherd’s retirement; however, after 38 years, everyone is entitled to relax on their own time and pursue their own personal interests without the observance of the public. How many other people have worked for almost 40 years and been given grief for their decision to retire? Even the military only asks people of 30 years maximum, even though some stay as active duty for 35 to 40 years. Duncan Shepherd has definitely provided an invaluable service to the county of San Diego; however, he is certainly entitled to his retirement.

While the loss of his articles will be a loss for the fans of the Reader, it is not the end of good movie reviews. Surely there’s another reviewer out there who can fill his void, though not identically, adequately. It is my hope that Mr. Shepherd will enjoy his retirement and that we as a San Diego community will be able to benefit from the movie reviews of another well-educated individual.

Scott Weselis
Downtown

Cows And Chickens Attacked

Re “Local Moo, Local Cluck for Foodies” (“City Lights,” November 18).

I loved this article because I have been on a crazy search for local meats for a while and have gotten nowhere. Needless to say, I was extremely disappointed with Iowa Meat Farms/Siesel’s (local meat store) sent their December newsletter completely attacking your article and calling people that want local meats “faux foodies,” which I find to be an insult.

I emailed them back and expressed my disappointment, but I think the Reader should know about their newsletter and should probably write a small article bringing attention to this.

Renata
via email

First Love, Then Money

Dear D,

I read your article “People Who Work with Their Hands Know” (Feature Story, October 28), and it was a wonderful read. You’ve come a long ways, and I truly can relate to your uncertainties in this economy. I encourage you to continue to follow your dreams.

School is necessary only to help you think more analytically and in the long run make solid decisions. However, I’m a true believer in follow your dreams, work with what you love, and the money will follow. Continue to keep your head up and remember that you are not alone. Do your best in everything you put your hands to. Although it may look like you’re not working with your hands at school, you really are. Take charge of your thoughts, and remember that you can be great in all you do. It takes dedication and hard work to finish school; eventually you will get there.

It took me a long time to get to school after helping my single mother raise four of my siblings. I was living my dream at Mesa, became an athlete, graduated with an AA, and was accepted at CSU Stanislaus, and graduated with a BA. Got married, opened a business, became a counselor, had a baby, and now I’m a stay-home mom working on my master’s degree in psychology. I thought I’d never get here, but God made the way. Something that has always helped me through life is to look at your cup halfway full rather than halfway empty. You got it in you.

Work hard in everything you put your hands to and never give up!

Diana Galvan
via email

Missing Weird

I’ve been enjoying your paper for many, many, many years, enjoy the coupons and a lot of the articles. However, I’ve been missing one of my favorite articles, which is “News of the Weird.” I wish you would not take that out. You can get rid of some of those puzzles and crossword stuff — I don’t do those. I prefer “News of the Weird.”

Name Withheld
via voice mail

Love Weird, Bauder

I’m a big fan of your column “News of the Weird,” and I would love to see you have that in each week.

I also love Don Bauder’s column.

Jack Seileman
Hillcrest